Court Advocacy Day Held at State House

More than 100 attorneys from across the state participated in a Court Advocacy Day event at the State House on Tuesday afternoon organized by the Mass. Bar Association and the Boston Bar Association. Chief Justices represented the courts and the Trial Court Fiscal Task Force along with the leaders of the Mass. Judges Conference and the Clerks Associations.

MBA President Edward McIntyre welcomed the attendees and encouraged those present to urge their legislators to support funding the courts at $622.7 million to “assure their core function and vital role in democracy.”

Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall emphasized that the constitutional imperative to provide timely justice would be jeopardized by inadequate funding. She also highlighted the impacts of inadequate funding on citizens across the Commonwealth.

“In tough times people turn increasingly to the courts,” said Chief Justice Marshall. “The greatest impact of funding cuts will be on the families at the core of society, who must deal with issues such as domestic violence, child support, visitation, custody, elder abuse, home care and safety. It is up to us to make sure the courts remain a source of strength and stability for our citizens.”

Chief Justice for Administration & Management Robert A. Mulligan stressed the impact that reductions in the FY09 budget already are having on court operations that serve 40,000 to 50,000 people each day. “We now have 15 courts staffed below 70 percent of the recommended staffing model, as a result of our strict hiring freeze,” he said. “In the District Court, assistant clerks are moving between courts to help get the work done. Case processing already is delayed and access to justice will be impeded, if the Trial Court does not receive needed funding.”

The two Chief Justices reported that a historic joint meeting with the leadership of the House and Senate that morning had underscored the unusually serious fiscal situation faced by the Commonwealth. They indicated that they had taken this important opportunity to lay out the impact of further cuts on the court system.

Boston Bar Association President Kathy Weinman closed the brief program with a review of key findings of the Report of BBA Task Force on the FY10 Judiciary Budget. She advised that “the courts must be able to respond when people need them the most.” She asked the attorneys present to inform the legislature that “cutting the budget further is cutting off that lifeline”

Participating attorneys received budget materials to enable them to advocate effectively with their local legislators on behalf of the courts.

Mass. Bar Association President Ed McIntyre welcomes attorneys to Court Advocacy Day at the State House.

Chief Justice Marshall thanks the bar and highlights the importance of adequate court funding for the citizens of the Commonwealth.

Chief Justice Mulligan reviews the current and future impact of budget cuts on court operations.

Boston Bar Association President Kathy Weinman  encourages attorneys to inform their legislators of the impact of inadequate court funding.

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